By: Kwame Bediako
Accra Hearts of Oak can now feel some sense of relief as the Ghana Football Association (GFA) has officially lifted the club’s transfer ban, following the payment of outstanding debts owed to former player Francis Adjetey.
The ban was imposed after the club failed to meet a GFA deadline of July 7, 2025, to settle over GHS 106,000 as ruled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
The payment made by Hearts exceeded GHS 129,000, covering the principal sum, accrued interest dating from September 2023 and legal costs, thereby clearing the club to register new players domestically and internationally.
Hearts of Oak’s transfer restrictions had severely hampered their preparations for the 2025/26 Ghana Premier League season. The embargo came on the heels of a previous ban related to the club’s failure to pay $38,000 to New Edubiase United over midfielder Salim Adams’ transfer.
Though the Edubiase debt issue was settled earlier and the associated ban lifted, the new sanction followed continued non-compliance on the Adjetey matter, with failed attempts to negotiate staggered payments contributing to the delay.
The GFA’s enforcement of the CAS ruling was firm, threatening withholding 20% of FIFA Forward funds from the GFA if payments were not completed within 30 days. The Disciplinary Committee fined the club GHS 20,000 for prior non-compliance and set the deadline for full settlement.
Despite attempts by Hearts of Oak to propose payment in installments, Adjetey insisted on a lump-sum payment to lift the embargo, which the club honored on July 17, 2025.
While this resolution marks a significant step toward the club’s financial stability, concerns remain over other outstanding liabilities. Reports indicate Hearts of Oak faces a further FIFA deadline to clear USD 150,000 owed to former Technical Director Rene Hiddink.
Failure to meet this deadline could trigger another transfer ban, threatening to derail the club’s rebuilding process and ambitions to compete domestically and continentally.
With the Adjetey and Edubiase cases resolved, Hearts of Oak aims to move forward with strengthening their squad ahead of the new season.
